Context of SESP 2022/23-2031/32:

The School Education Sector Plan (SESP) in Nepal aligns with government commitments to provide compulsory and free education up to the basic level, free education at the secondary level as per the Constitution of Nepal, and to implement the 2019 National Education Policy. Additionally, it aims to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 of ensuring inclusive access to quality education and lifelong learning by 2030.
Recognizing education's pivotal role in achieving long-term social and economic development goals, the SESP underscores the necessity of a credible education plan to steer Nepal towards sustainable development. It emphasizes the transformative impact education can have on the nation's trajectory.
The transition to federalized governance structures necessitated a new education sector plan to succeed the previous 7-year School Sector Development Plan (SSDP) (2016 to 2023). The SESP aims to institutionalize decentralized management of the school education sector at the local level to address emerging needs effectively. The SESP builds on the achievements of the SSDP while integrating new strategies to address emerging priorities and issues.
- It aims to introduce reforms in the education sector to embrace the recent developments and changes in the knowledge, science and technology through their increased relevance and to build a strong and resilient system contributing to Nepal's transformation into a well-governed, prosperous nation.
The SESP prioritizes facilitating the inclusive recovery of the education system from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to address the unequal impact of disasters on children and their families, particularly focusing on mitigating the disproportionate effects on vulnerable groups such as girls, considering factors like gender, geographical location, and socio-economic status.

Progress and Challenges

Nepal's formal education system has achieved significant progress in recent years, expanding access to schools across the nation, even in remote areas.

Progress:

Over 8 million children are enrolled in basic and secondary schools, with more than one million in pre-primary and early childhood education programs.
The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) at the lower basic level is at 96.9%, indicating widespread accessibility. The NER has reached 95.11 percent and increased to 54.0 percent in basic and secondary level respectively.
The country has maintained gender parity across school levels, with a literacy rate of 78% for ages 5 and above and 92% for ages 15-24. (CEHRD 2021)

Challenges:

4.9% of children aged 5-12 remaining out of school and a completion rate of 76.6% for basic education. Transition rates from grade 10 to 11 have not met expectations.
Although enrollment of marginalized groups increased due to equity-promoting measures, children with disabilities still face barriers. A large proportion of out-of-school and dropout children and those who repeat classes made up of the poorest, most vulnerable children and children with disabilities, concentrated in certain regions of the country.
Additionally, 31% of 4-year-olds lack early childhood education.
Assessments indicate stagnation in overall student achievement, exacerbated by extended school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Challenges include insufficient, competent, and motivated teachers, inadequate educational environments, and a lack of resilience to natural disasters, epidemics and crises.
Governance and management issues, such as coordination gaps and capacity constraints, hinder effective education delivery.

SESP emphasizes the need for capacity building at local levels, proper organizational structures, and skilled human resources to ensure quality educational services. Extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including government ministries, NGOs, National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission (NNRFC), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), members of Nepal’s Local Education Development Partner Group (LEDPG), and the broader Local Education Group (LEG), informed the development of the plan, which aims to address these challenges comprehensively. Additionally, Education Sector Analysis (ESA) and thematic studies provided valuable insights.